Strawberry plant called ‘Gem Star’

ABSTRACT

‘Gem Star’ is a new and distinct short-day cultivar of strawberry plant, which produces large ,nice shape ,very glossy and good flavor fruits. Compare to ‘Chandler’, ‘Gem Star’ produces more consistent conic to long conic fruit shape, larger primary fruit and the color is lighter red. ‘Gem Star’ is a vigorous plant, anthracnose crown rot tolerant, early production, high yield, easy to harvest and good flavor. This variety is adapted to growing in the major fruit production areas of the Southeastern United States.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention of ‘Gem Star’, a new and distinctive cultivar ofstrawberry plant , is a result of the cross breeding between ‘B2’ (anunpatented J&P selection) and ‘A3’ (an unpatented J&P selection). Theresulting plant was selected in a controlled breeding plot at J&PResearch's cultivated field located in Naples, Fla. during the fruitingseason of 1997-1998. It was designated as ‘JP2’ by the inventor. Thiscultivar is botanically identified as Fragaria xananassa Duch. ‘GemStar’ has been propagated by runners and meristem culture in Naples,Fla. as well as in the commercial nurseries in United States and Canada.It has been trialed in the field of growers in North Carolina andFlorida. ‘Gem Star’ plant retains its distinctive characteristics andreproduces true to type in successive generations.

COMPARISON TO CLOSEST CULTIVARS

The commercial cultivar which we believe to be closest to ‘Gem Star’from those known to us is ‘Chandler’, (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,262).However, there are several characteristics of ‘Gem Star’ that aredifferent or not possessed by ‘Chandler’. Those are:

(1). Anthracnose crown rot tolerance: The plant of ‘Gem Star’ istolerant to anthracnose crown rot disease, which is one of the majordiseases in strawberry production in the southeastern United States.‘Chandler’ is susceptible to anthracnose disease.

(2). Fruit size: The fruit size of the primary fruit of ‘Gem Star’ ismuch larger than that of ‘Chandler’.

(3). Fruit color: The fruit color of ‘Gem Star’ is lighter than that of‘Chandler’.

(4). Isozymes in leaf extracts: isozyme analyses see Table 1. (a) Thephosphoglucoisomerase (PGI) isozyme banding pattern for ‘Gem Star’ is A4whereas ‘Chandler’ is A1(b) The leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) isozymebanding pattern for ‘Gem Star’ and ‘Chandler’ is B3. (c) The malatedehydrogenase (MDH) isozyme banding for ‘Gem Star’ is C1 whereas‘Chandler’ is C2.

All isozyme analyses were conducted using leaf tissue. Reference: J.Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 106:684-687, (1981); USDA Forest Service GeneralTechnical Report PSW-64,(1982); and Tanksley,S. D. and Orton, T. J.Isozymes in Plant Genetics and Breeding, Part A, pp. 469-516 (ElsevierScience Publishers B.V., 1984).

TABLE 1 Isozyme in leaf extracts by electrophoresis ‘Gem Star’‘Chandler’ PGI A4 A1 LAP B3 B3 MDH C1 C 2

As shown in Table 1 ‘Gem Star’ can be unambiguously distinguished from‘Chandler’ by using the above-mentioned isozyme patterns.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the general flowering and fruiting characteristics of theplants in the production field during the mid-season.

FIG. 2 depicts a) a typical mature compound leaf, b) a representativecomplete flower in mid-season, c) a fruiting truss including differentstages of fruiting and flowering, and d) a typical mature fruit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

‘Gem Star’ is a new and distinctive short-day type strawberry cultivarwhich is the result of the cross of ‘B2’ and ‘A3’. The female parent‘B2’ possesses the distinguishing characteristics of earliness, highyield, large fruit size, good color, good firm and good flavor. The maleparent ‘A3’, possesses the distinguishing characteristics of very largefruit, good yield, superior shape and glossy color, good flavor andanthracnose tolerance. The novel cultivar ‘Gem Star’ resembles thefemale parent in possessing the characteristics of large size and goodflavor and resembles the male parent in possessing the characteristicsof very large fruit, good flavor and anthracnose tolerance. ‘Gem Star’is intermediate between its parents with respect to the characteristicsof firmness, fruit shape and color and superior to both parents withrespect to yield and earlier production.

‘Gem Star’ is an early fruiting cultivar with very large and attractivefruits, which has performed well in trials in North Carolina during the1998-99 fruiting season. It is competitive with ‘Chandler’ the mostimportant cultivar grown in North Carolina area at this time. ‘Gem Star’produces fruits earlier and yields higher than ‘Chandler’. ‘Gem Star’ isa very healthy and vigorous plant, which is tolerant to anthracnosedisease and two spotted spider mites.

The distinctive characteristics of this new strawberry cultivar,described in detail below were observed upon its discovery andthroughout the repeated test periods.

PLANTS AND FOLIAGE

The plants and foliage characteristics of ‘Gem Star’ were collectedabout 4 month after planting the plants in fruiting field are listed inTable 2.

Table 2 Plant & Foliage characteristics for ‘Gem Star’ Plant

Average size:

Height (mm).—290.

Diameter (mm).—325.

Shape: Erect and tall.

Density: Medium to open.

Vigor: Strong.

Root initiation: Fast rooting , about 2 days to 5 days.

Foliage

Terminal leaflet:

Length (mm).—66.

Width (mm).—62.

Shape of terminal leaflet.—Orbicular with serrulate margin.

Color (Munsell color charts).—Abaxial: 5GY 4/4. Adaxial: 5GY 5/4.

Leaf pubescence.—Moderate to sparse and direction is acropetal.

Serrations number of terminal leaflets (mean).—22.

Petiole:

Length (mm).—216.

Diameter (mm).—3.

Color (Munsell color charts).—5GY 7/8.

Pubescence.—Heavy and direction is acropetal.

Petiolule:

Length (mm).—10.

Diameter (mm).—1.5.

Color (Munsell color charts).—5GY 6/8.

Base angles of terminal leaflets(half blade) (degree): 66.

Bract leaflet position(distance from base to bract/petiole length):0.63.

Stolons:

Number.—Many.

Anthocyanin coloration.—Moderate.

Thickness (diameter, mm).—2.

Pubescence.—Moderate to sparse and direction is acropetal.

RESISTANCE TO DISEASE , PEST AND STRESS

‘Gem Star’ is a very healthy and vigorous plant. It is more tolerant toanthracnose crown rot disease than ‘Chandler’. ‘Gem Star’ has arelatively high tolerance to two-spotted spider mites when compared to‘Chandler’. ‘Gem Star’ is moderately tolerant to high and lowtemperatures but susceptible to rain cracking. ‘Gem Star’ is nottypically exposed to drought in our growing conditions.

FLOWERING AND FRUITING CHARACTERISTICS

The distinguishing flowering and fruiting characteristics of ‘Gem Star’plants were collected about 4-5 month after planting the plants arepresented in Table 3. The centers of the fruit are solid showing littleto no hollowing. The flowers are self-fertile and pollination is verygood.

Table 3 Flower and fruit characters for ‘Gem Star’

Bud: In the stage of biggest size, 1 day before flower open.

Diameter (mm).—20.

Length (mm).—16.

Color (Munsell color charts).—Upper: 5GY 7/8. Base: 7.5GY 5/4.

Flower:

Diameter (mm).—31.5.

Height (mm).—195.

Number of flower/cluster.—About 11.

Fragrance.—None.

Bloom time and period in specific location: Observed at the researchplots of J&P Research Inc. in Naples, Fla., on plants plantedmid-October.

Approximate of budburst, bloom time & duration: The earliest buds openstarting 3 weeks after after the plants were planted. Plants bloom fromNovember until May.

Petals:

Length (mm).—13.

Width (mm).—13.

Shape.—Obtuse. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Obtuse.

Color (no color chart given).—White.

Texture.—Smooth.

Margin.—Entire.

Number.—mean: About 7. Range: 5-9.

Sepals:

Length (mm).—12.

Width (mm).—5.

Shape.—Oblanceolate. Apex: Acute. Base: Cuneate.

Color (Munsell color charts).—Abaxial: 7.5GY4/4. Adaxial: 7.5GY 5/4.

Number.—About 14. Mean Range: 10-18.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.—Number: 25-40.

Length (mm).—2.5-5.

Color (Munsell color charts).—5Y 8/10.

Pistils.—Number & location: About 200-700 pistils attached on thesurface of the receptacle.

Length (mm).—1-1.5.

Color (Munsell color charts).—2.5GY 8/12.

Fruit shape: Long conic.

Fruit size & color:

Development stage.—Green fruit: At maximum size about 1-2 days beforestarting to turn to pink. size: length (mm): 31. diameter (mm): 21.color (Munsell color charts): Exterior: 2.5GY 8/4. Flesh: White (nocolor chart given). Pink fruit: About 1-2 days before red. size: length(mm): About 1-2 days after pink. diameter (mm): color (Munsell colorcharts): Exterior: 7.5R 5/14. Flesh: 7.5R 5/12. Ripe fruit-red size:length (mm): 46. diameter (mm): 41. weight (gram/fruit): Average: 25.7.Primary: 33.3. color (Munsell color charts): Exterior: 7.5R 4/16-7.5R5/16. Flesh: 7.5R 5/14. Red color from tip to shoulder.

Peduncle:

Of flowers.—Length (mm): 21.5. Diameter (mm): 3. Color (Munsell colorcharts): 5GY 7/8.

Peduncle:

Of flower.—Length (mm): 21.5. Diameter (mm): 3. Color(Munsell colorcharts): 5‘GY 6/8.

of fruits. —Length (mm): 21.5. Diameter (mm): 3. Color (Munsell colorcharts): 5‘GY 6/8.

Of fruits.—Length (mm): 24. Diameter (mm): 4. Color (Munsell colorcharts): 5GY 6/8.

Pedicel:

Seeds:

Number (mean).—Primary fruit 666. Secondary fruit: 205.

Shape.—Ovate.

Size.—length (mm): 1-1.5. diameter (mm): 0.5-1.

Color (Munsell color charts).—Red 10R 6/10-Yellow 5Y 8/10.

Calyx position: Even/slight indent.

Seed position: Even.

The yield of ‘Gem Star’ is compared below with that of ‘Chandler’ inTable 4.

TABLE 4 Data on yield and fruit size of ‘Gem Star’ vs ‘Chandler’obtained from the fruiting season of 1997-98 at J& P Research field inNaples, Florida and 1998-99 at Vernon G. James Research and ExtensionCenter in Plymouth, NC. Year Location Gem Star Chandler 1997-98 Naples,FL Yield January 154 99 (gram/ February 107 149 plt) March 51 31 Jan-Mar312 279 Size Average 26 20 (gram/ Primary 36 30 fruit) 1998-99 Plymouth,NC Yield Total 491 395 (gram/ plant) Size Average 107 52 (gram/ fruit)

The Firmness and Sugar Content of ‘Gem Star’ are present in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Firmness (Fruit Pressure Tester) mean 447 (gram per 5 mmdiameter plunger tip) range 290-550 (Higher value firmer fruit) Sugarcontent (a.k.a.Soluble Solids) mean 10.2 (degree Brix)

Yield of ‘Gem Star’ is higher than that of ‘Chandler’. The fruit size ofprimary fruit of ‘Gem Star’ is very large in comparison with that of‘Chandler’. The average fruit size of ‘Gem Star’ is also larger thanthat of ‘Chandler’. The fruit of ‘Gem Star’ is moderate firm. The flavorof ‘Gem Star’ is very good and aromatic. The fruit skin color of ‘GemStar’ is lighter than that of ‘Chandler’. The finish is very glossy andvery attractive. The flesh color and the core are about the same as theskin and only slightly less intense. The calyx is small and positionedeven or slight indent with the base of the fruit. Seed placement ispositioned even with the skin surface. The fruit is recommended forfresh market.

Because of its earliness, high yield, excellent fruit quality andvigorous healthy plant, this cultivar is considered to competitive inthe strawberry industry in Southeast United States.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant named ‘GemStar’, as herein described and illustrated.